One of the best meals and experiences we’ve ever had. The food is top notch, and somehow the service still outdid it. Sophie was our waitress for the night and was phenomenal. We dined at Fairchild for our 10-year wedding anniversary and she made it a big deal.She mentioned to us that some people will split the entrees/pasta dishes into two shared courses which was perfect.We started with the unbelievable hamachi and mushroom tempura. Both were unreal. You can feel the precision in the kitchen.Then we got the Riso Nero (this is a guess on the spelling) and each piece of seafood was perfectly melted-in-the-mouth delicious.Next was the steak, which paired nicely with the truffles and other items that they put on the plate. We enjoyed it with the Brussels sprout side and fava bean side with the steak course as well. The Brussels sprouts were good but the fava beans outshined it. The herbs they are cooked with take it to another level.We finished off with the pumpkin panna cotta dessert and it truly could go toe-to-toe with some of the best desserts that exist.What a wonderful experience and we can’t wait for another opportunity to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Maitake Tempura, Panna Cotta
John D Dunne
Although I have been to Fairchild several times, some recent “fine” dining experiences while traveling have reminded me how truly exceptional this restaurant is. The award-winning chefs create culinary magic that balances the innovative and the traditional with subtle influences from various cuisines. The menu is consistently excellent across the board, but the mains, which change regularly, are especially worth considering. The cocktails likewise are exceptional. Fairchild would shine in any major city of the world, and in Madison, it is truly the crown jewel of an outstanding restaurant scene.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carl Anderson
This is one of my absolute favorite places in Madison. We stayed until closing and hung around with the staff for a few minutes afterward - it was some of the best food and fun I've had in a long time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Helaina Von Bank
Our server was awesome, gave great recommendations. Hard to pick a favorite from what we got but the salmon was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seven Seeds Pork Trotter
kleo
Terrible experience. Made a reservation, received a confirmation email but upon arriving I was simply told that it is not in their system? The cioppino I ordered has a lot of sand in their clams which r clearly not properly cleaned. When I reflected on the clam they simply said “sandy?” and didn’t even gave me a explanation or inform the kitchen. The waiter handed my check from BEHIND MY BACK. In addition the waitress spilled a significant amount of water on the table twice without saying anything. I ended up still giving a 20% tip since they did removed the sandy cioppino off my check but this is really my WORST fine dining experience ever! To the point that it is kind of funny, like a Dhar man episode of terrible customer service. And the food was as well incredibly mid.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
J. Xie
This was the first time that my fiancee and I visited Fairchild but it definitely won't be the last!Morgan offered impeccable service and he ensured that we had a wonderful and seamless dining experience. He was very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable about the menu and food.The food was absolutely delicious. For a starter, we had the hickory smoked sturgeon, which was beautifully presented and had great flavors from the sturgeon, radicchio, and creme fraiche.I ordered the New York strip, which was very tender and cooked perfectly and came with a piece of beef short rib that just melted in the mouth. The braised chestnuts had great flavor and wonderful texture as well.My fiancee ordered the riso nero which had lobster, scallop, shrimp, clam, and black rice in a rich, delicious broth. The combined flavor of the seafood with the broth was fantastic, and it came with a few slices of baguette which we happily enjoyed with the flavorful broth.For dessert, we opted for the pumpkin panna cotta - beautifully smooth and creamy with a delicate pumpkin flavor and just the right amount of sweetness.Overall, we had an incredible experience at Fairchild and we look forward to going back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Panna Cotta, Beef
Josef Litchfield
Top 3 must eat places in Madison! Ora King Salmon Mi Cuit - melts in your mouth. Vialone Nano Rice!lobster, scallop, shrimp, manila clam,sundried tomato, prosciutto broth - nuff said, get reservations and enjoy your experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
MaryDan H.
Finally made it to Fairchild on a cold Winter weeknight. It's a bummer that they don't have a dedicated parking lot, especially in the winter, but everyone seemed to do fine with Monroe Street parking.I was impressed with the menu and that they offered multiple non alcoholic drinks. I found the German non alcoholic sparkling wine very delicious.We began with the grilled Spanish octopus appetizer that also included a sampling of Pork belly. Both were charred to succulent perfection. Our server asked if we would like a complimentary sample of Beef Tartare. We declined, but all of nearby diners seemed to truly enjoy it.My main meal was the American Snapper and my husband had the Peterson New York strip. The steak seemed to be on the small side compared to other restaurants. But the food quality was stellar. The small sides included with our meals were also very special. We also ordered a side to share: roasted Brussels sprouts with crispy cheese--loved this dish.
C. Ernest
Take two James Beard award winning chefs, mix with an old school store front on Monroe Street in Madison, and fold in an ultra casual but totally layered menu featuring some of the most delicious food happening in Wisconsin right now and you get Fairchild. This place has it all! Not pretentious in any way, as you are immediately hit with a very chill and friendly vibe from the staff. Attentive, funny, and knowledgeable all come to mind when the service staff were around us. We weren't able to try everything on the menu, but I can not imagine anything off track from the stupendous selection we had. Deviled eggs: smooth, delectable, and so satisfying a bite. I challenge you to find better prepared deviled eggs in Wisconsin. Beef tartar, prepared with a potato pavé and bandaged aged cheddar... the pavé was still warm and just melted the cheddar when it mingled with the beef... utterly delightful. The Foie Gras had to be one of the best preparations we have ever had. Squash puree, coconut milk foam, and a mango sorbet? You wouldn't think in a million years these things belong together on a plate with Foie Gras, but they intermingle beautifully and elevate an already melt in your mouth bite. Agnolotti was one of my favorite plates of pasta I have ever had with butternut squash stuffed into bites of pasta and surrounded by bits of blue cheese, brown butter, and topped with hazelnuts. A-maz-ing! The Rainbow Trout en Croute was a favorite of my wife's. The combination of beet and mushroom earthiness with the sweetness of the trout made it an almost plate licking experience! Let's not forget about the sides, either. French Navy beans are perfectly cooked with a touch of sweetness from the leeks and acid from the vinaigrette. Wonderfully steaming hot creamed spinach that somehow did not lose its crunch as it sat in a pool of cream, shallots, and garlic. And roasted brussell sprouts with a bit of a kick from a chili aioli really paired well overall with our entrées. This is a must for any foodie as it can take you on a terrific food journey! Kudos to the entire staff for a memorable experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Estella M.
Food was unbelievably good. Our table was sat far past our reservation time, but the food and service made up for it. We tried almost everything on the menu. Very cute inside.
Enjoyed an incredible meal. The oysters, trout entree and dessert were incredible. Great service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pink Moon Oysters
Susan Merriman
One of the best meals ever! Enough said.
Adam Magier
Exceptional meal! Service from the entire staff was superb and they made this a very special birthday celebration! Our waiter Morgan was an expert in the menu and helped us create the best dining experience. Pictured are the Scallop & Clam Tart, Hudson Valley Foie Gras, and Seven Seeds Pork Trotter. True works of art! The handmade agnolotti with butternut squash and smoked blue cheese were cooked to perfection! Can't wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John E
Fairchild is every bit as good as you’ve read. Truly lives up to all of its accolades including their James Beard award for best in the Midwest. The space is cozy and the decor is beautiful.We started our night with a cocktail. I had a manhattan and my wife a lemon drop. We would come back just for the drinks! Every bite of the night was perfect. My wife and I shared the oysters as a snack. What a perfect opening. We followed with the scallop and crab tart and the foie. The foie was melt in your mouth heaven and the tart had a beautiful crunch under the delicate fresh seafood.For her entree my wife chose the pork cutlet. The pork was juicy and well flavored. The accompanying shrimp was unexpectedly large. What a nice touch. I had the Pappardelle Bolognese. My wife, a former general manager of an Italian restaurant chain, commented how perfectly the pasta was done. The meat sauce was beyond my expectations. Rich but not too much. It was a perfectly balanced dish.When dessert was brought up I said I would pass but my wife insisted we share the stick toffee pudding. I do not regret that choice. Outstanding.All in all a perfect match. We’ve found our new fine dining home.
We had dinner here for the first time on NYE. It was a fabulous night. Service was great, the food was amazing. Love the vibe of the place. Definitely understand why they won the James Beard award, everything was perfect.
One of the best meals and experiences we’ve ever had. The food is top notch, and somehow the service still outdid it. Sophie was our waitress for the night and was phenomenal. We dined at Fairchild for our 10-year wedding anniversary and she made it a big deal.She mentioned to us that some people will split the entrees/pasta dishes into two shared courses which was perfect.We started with the unbelievable hamachi and mushroom tempura. Both were unreal. You can feel the precision in the kitchen.Then we got the Riso Nero (this is a guess on the spelling) and each piece of seafood was perfectly melted-in-the-mouth delicious.Next was the steak, which paired nicely with the truffles and other items that they put on the plate. We enjoyed it with the Brussels sprout side and fava bean side with the steak course as well. The Brussels sprouts were good but the fava beans outshined it. The herbs they are cooked with take it to another level.We finished off with the pumpkin panna cotta dessert and it truly could go toe-to-toe with some of the best desserts that exist.What a wonderful experience and we can’t wait for another opportunity to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Maitake Tempura, Panna Cotta
Although I have been to Fairchild several times, some recent “fine” dining experiences while traveling have reminded me how truly exceptional this restaurant is. The award-winning chefs create culinary magic that balances the innovative and the traditional with subtle influences from various cuisines. The menu is consistently excellent across the board, but the mains, which change regularly, are especially worth considering. The cocktails likewise are exceptional. Fairchild would shine in any major city of the world, and in Madison, it is truly the crown jewel of an outstanding restaurant scene.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is one of my absolute favorite places in Madison. We stayed until closing and hung around with the staff for a few minutes afterward - it was some of the best food and fun I've had in a long time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our server was awesome, gave great recommendations. Hard to pick a favorite from what we got but the salmon was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seven Seeds Pork Trotter
Terrible experience. Made a reservation, received a confirmation email but upon arriving I was simply told that it is not in their system? The cioppino I ordered has a lot of sand in their clams which r clearly not properly cleaned. When I reflected on the clam they simply said “sandy?” and didn’t even gave me a explanation or inform the kitchen. The waiter handed my check from BEHIND MY BACK. In addition the waitress spilled a significant amount of water on the table twice without saying anything. I ended up still giving a 20% tip since they did removed the sandy cioppino off my check but this is really my WORST fine dining experience ever! To the point that it is kind of funny, like a Dhar man episode of terrible customer service. And the food was as well incredibly mid.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
This was the first time that my fiancee and I visited Fairchild but it definitely won't be the last!Morgan offered impeccable service and he ensured that we had a wonderful and seamless dining experience. He was very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable about the menu and food.The food was absolutely delicious. For a starter, we had the hickory smoked sturgeon, which was beautifully presented and had great flavors from the sturgeon, radicchio, and creme fraiche.I ordered the New York strip, which was very tender and cooked perfectly and came with a piece of beef short rib that just melted in the mouth. The braised chestnuts had great flavor and wonderful texture as well.My fiancee ordered the riso nero which had lobster, scallop, shrimp, clam, and black rice in a rich, delicious broth. The combined flavor of the seafood with the broth was fantastic, and it came with a few slices of baguette which we happily enjoyed with the flavorful broth.For dessert, we opted for the pumpkin panna cotta - beautifully smooth and creamy with a delicate pumpkin flavor and just the right amount of sweetness.Overall, we had an incredible experience at Fairchild and we look forward to going back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Panna Cotta, Beef
Top 3 must eat places in Madison! Ora King Salmon Mi Cuit - melts in your mouth. Vialone Nano Rice!lobster, scallop, shrimp, manila clam,sundried tomato, prosciutto broth - nuff said, get reservations and enjoy your experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Finally made it to Fairchild on a cold Winter weeknight. It's a bummer that they don't have a dedicated parking lot, especially in the winter, but everyone seemed to do fine with Monroe Street parking.I was impressed with the menu and that they offered multiple non alcoholic drinks. I found the German non alcoholic sparkling wine very delicious.We began with the grilled Spanish octopus appetizer that also included a sampling of Pork belly. Both were charred to succulent perfection. Our server asked if we would like a complimentary sample of Beef Tartare. We declined, but all of nearby diners seemed to truly enjoy it.My main meal was the American Snapper and my husband had the Peterson New York strip. The steak seemed to be on the small side compared to other restaurants. But the food quality was stellar. The small sides included with our meals were also very special. We also ordered a side to share: roasted Brussels sprouts with crispy cheese--loved this dish.
Take two James Beard award winning chefs, mix with an old school store front on Monroe Street in Madison, and fold in an ultra casual but totally layered menu featuring some of the most delicious food happening in Wisconsin right now and you get Fairchild. This place has it all! Not pretentious in any way, as you are immediately hit with a very chill and friendly vibe from the staff. Attentive, funny, and knowledgeable all come to mind when the service staff were around us. We weren't able to try everything on the menu, but I can not imagine anything off track from the stupendous selection we had. Deviled eggs: smooth, delectable, and so satisfying a bite. I challenge you to find better prepared deviled eggs in Wisconsin. Beef tartar, prepared with a potato pavé and bandaged aged cheddar... the pavé was still warm and just melted the cheddar when it mingled with the beef... utterly delightful. The Foie Gras had to be one of the best preparations we have ever had. Squash puree, coconut milk foam, and a mango sorbet? You wouldn't think in a million years these things belong together on a plate with Foie Gras, but they intermingle beautifully and elevate an already melt in your mouth bite. Agnolotti was one of my favorite plates of pasta I have ever had with butternut squash stuffed into bites of pasta and surrounded by bits of blue cheese, brown butter, and topped with hazelnuts. A-maz-ing! The Rainbow Trout en Croute was a favorite of my wife's. The combination of beet and mushroom earthiness with the sweetness of the trout made it an almost plate licking experience! Let's not forget about the sides, either. French Navy beans are perfectly cooked with a touch of sweetness from the leeks and acid from the vinaigrette. Wonderfully steaming hot creamed spinach that somehow did not lose its crunch as it sat in a pool of cream, shallots, and garlic. And roasted brussell sprouts with a bit of a kick from a chili aioli really paired well overall with our entrées. This is a must for any foodie as it can take you on a terrific food journey! Kudos to the entire staff for a memorable experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was unbelievably good. Our table was sat far past our reservation time, but the food and service made up for it. We tried almost everything on the menu. Very cute inside.
Restaurantji Recommends
Enjoyed an incredible meal. The oysters, trout entree and dessert were incredible. Great service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pink Moon Oysters
One of the best meals ever! Enough said.
Exceptional meal! Service from the entire staff was superb and they made this a very special birthday celebration! Our waiter Morgan was an expert in the menu and helped us create the best dining experience. Pictured are the Scallop & Clam Tart, Hudson Valley Foie Gras, and Seven Seeds Pork Trotter. True works of art! The handmade agnolotti with butternut squash and smoked blue cheese were cooked to perfection! Can't wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fairchild is every bit as good as you’ve read. Truly lives up to all of its accolades including their James Beard award for best in the Midwest. The space is cozy and the decor is beautiful.We started our night with a cocktail. I had a manhattan and my wife a lemon drop. We would come back just for the drinks! Every bite of the night was perfect. My wife and I shared the oysters as a snack. What a perfect opening. We followed with the scallop and crab tart and the foie. The foie was melt in your mouth heaven and the tart had a beautiful crunch under the delicate fresh seafood.For her entree my wife chose the pork cutlet. The pork was juicy and well flavored. The accompanying shrimp was unexpectedly large. What a nice touch. I had the Pappardelle Bolognese. My wife, a former general manager of an Italian restaurant chain, commented how perfectly the pasta was done. The meat sauce was beyond my expectations. Rich but not too much. It was a perfectly balanced dish.When dessert was brought up I said I would pass but my wife insisted we share the stick toffee pudding. I do not regret that choice. Outstanding.All in all a perfect match. We’ve found our new fine dining home.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork Entree, Pink Moon Oysters, Scallops, Tagliatelle Bolognese
We had dinner here for the first time on NYE. It was a fabulous night. Service was great, the food was amazing. Love the vibe of the place. Definitely understand why they won the James Beard award, everything was perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5